System and method for controlling multiple window coverings using a single manually manipulated control

Abstract

A window covering system used to adjust the position of window covers. Each cover hangs from a support that includes a roller. The covers are adjusted in position by the rotation of the roller. A slave gear is attached to each roller to facilitate rotation. A drive gear is provided that is sized to intermesh with each of the slave gears on the rollers. An adjustment mechanism is provided for rotating the drive gear. A second adjustment mechanism is provided for selectively moving the drive gear between various positions. At different points in its movement, the drive gear engages different slave gears from different rollers. Accordingly, a selected roller can be rotated. Thus, a single drive gear and a single manually operated mechanism can be used to individually rotate any number of rollers, thereby adjusting any number of window coverings.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly comprising:
 a plurality of rollers that include a first roller and a second roller; 
 a first cover affixed to said first roller; a second cover affixed to said second roller; 
 a header box for holding said first roller and said second roller in a parallel orientation; 
 a drive gear for selectively and independently rotating said first roller and said second roller, respectively; 
 a first adjustment mechanism for rotating said drive gear, said first adjustment mechanism for rotating said drive gear includes a pulley cord; 
 a second adjustment mechanism for selectively moving said drive gear between a first position and a second position, wherein rotation of said drive gear in said first position causes rotation in said first roller; and wherein rotation of said drive gear in said second position causes rotation of said second roller. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a first gear connected to said first roller that turns with said first roller, and a second gear coupled to said second roller that turns with said second roller. 
     
     
       3. The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said drive gear intermeshes with said first gear when in said first position. 
     
     
       4. The assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said drive gear intermeshes with said second gear when in said second position. 
     
     
       5. The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a third roller that supports a third cover, wherein said third roller is held in a parallel orientation with said first roller in said header box. 
     
     
       6. The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said second adjustment mechanism can selectively move said drive gear to a third position, wherein rotation of said drive gear in said third position causes rotation in said third roller. 
     
     
       7. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first cover and said second cover are selected from a group consisting of curtains, shades, blinds and louvers. 
     
     
       8. The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first adjustment mechanism for selectively moving said drive gear includes a twist rod. 
     
     
       9. In a window cover system having a plurality of rollers held within a common header box, an adjustment device for selectively rotating said rollers, comprising:
 a drive gear selectively rotated by a first adjustment mechanism; 
 a screw shaft selectively rotated by a second adjustment mechanism, wherein said drive gear is coupled to said screw shaft and moves along said screw shaft to different positions as said screw shaft is turned by said second adjustment mechanism; 
 wherein said drive gear engages selectively and independently different rollers from said plurality of rollers as said drive gear moves to said different positions; and 
 wherein said drive gear rotates any one of said plurality of rollers engaged with said drive gear when said drive gear is rotated by said second adjustment mechanism. 
 
     
     
       10. The device according to  claim 9 , wherein said drive gear is supported by a support arm, wherein said support arm engages said screw shaft and moves along said screw shaft when said screw shaft is rotated. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 10 , wherein said drive gear rotates about an axle and said axle is disposed in an elongated guide within said support arm that enables said axle and said drive gear to move back and forth within said elongated guide. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 11 , further including a spring for biasing said axle of said drive gear to one end of said elongated guide. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 12 , further including a pin that engages said elongated guide. 
     
     
       14. The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said spring biases said drive gear away from said pin. 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 14 , further including a contoured cam surface that extends along at least part of said screw shaft. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said pin is moved by said cam surface in said elongated guide as said support arm moves along said screw shaft.